It was a painful night for Stoke City under-23s as Aston Villa produced a top class performance to rain goals at Clayton Wood.
Stoke have been in good form in 2021 and have a strong crop of youngsters, plus Tyrese Campbell and Tashan Oakley-Boothe making their way back from long-term injuries.
But they were swept aside by a Villa side packed with power, pace and skill, playing with a swagger and directness that left most of a capacity crowd – the attendance at Stoke’s training ground is limited post-pandemic – spending most of the evening praying for a full-time whistle.
Captain Aaron Ramsey got an early first but Villa subsequently got into decent positions without taking full advantage.
But that became wave after wave of quick attacks and smart finishes, with two goals each added by Caleb Chukwuemka and Carney Chukwuemeka and a hat-trick from electric yellow-booted Jaden Philogene Bidace.
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Stoke left-back Lewis Macari also produced a miracle goalline clearance and Nathan Broome a smart close range save.
Their cause wasn’t helped by a first-half hamstring injury to David Okagbue, being watched by Republic of Ireland under-19s coach Jon Walters. They are without several players who would be key to this team too; with Eddy Jones, Connor Taylor, Will Goodwin, Ibrahima Sy, Ethon Varian, Will Forrester and Blondy Nna Noukeu out on loan while Gabriel Adebambo is a long-term absentee with a knee injury.
The good news for Stoke, in front of watching first team boss Michael O’Neill, was that Campbell got another 73 minutes in the bank as he continues his return to fitness.
It was a hard night without a lot for him to feed on but more important game time, his third appearance back at this level as he tries to get back into the Championship squad.
Oakley-Boothe, who suffered a back injury in the spring, came through an hour and had moments of decent play.
Douglas Taylor James came closest to scoring for the Potters when he drove forward and clipped a shot just wide of the left post.
Stoke are next in action this Friday, away at Southampton (4pm) while Villa host Wolves that evening (7pm).
